Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Check Engine, Trac Off on Lexus ES 300

A week ago, on my Lexus ES 300 (2001), "Check Engine" and "Trac Off" lights came on. This coincided with me filling the gas tank to the brim to round the dollar to be paid. Some websites suggested that the "Trac Off" is related to the gas tank cap not being tight. I cleaned the gas tank cap and the tank opening. However, both lights persisted. On the same day, when I turned on the car again, there was a hesitance, a stuttering to come on, like the battery was going down. Both "Check Engine" and "Trac Off" lights were still on.

If you take the car to a shop at this point, their computer check can cost you hundreds of dollars. I have seen many advices posted on the internet with conflicting diagnosis, but none conclusive. So, I decided to research further.

The next day, the car wouldn't come on at all. It sounded as the battery was dead. I couldn't even jump start the car. Usually, if the battery is completely drained, jump starting will not work. So, I got a new battery from Costco ($56.99) and put it in. (There is a $9 fee if you do not turn in the old battery).

It took 15-20 seconds of cranking to get the car started. Once it was started, the engine sounded fine and the RPM was normal. The "Check Engine" light was off. However, the "Trac Off" was still on. I cleaned the gas tank cap one more time.

The next morning, when I turned the car on, there was no problem at all. It came on instantly as it used to be, didn't have any warning lights, and drove smoothly.

The gas tank cap getting dirty and the battery being down are unrelated things, which just happened on the same day. I do not know which one caused which warning light to come on though.

42 comments:

  1. hi, i am a auto mechanic .let me tell about this. i think it is only coz of your ABS system / ABS sensors got dirty (It sits in every axles).. so the Traction control system got some false code ..May be coz of dirt or coz or ice .. normaly each turn it automaticaly cleaned. but some cases it wont .. thats y it happend (Trac off).. & Battery .. may be any of your lights (Trunk,Radio etc) is on it happens
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  2. The easiest and fastest way to solve this problem is under the hood in the fuse panel.....with the car off, pull out the "efi" fuse, try to start the engine for 1 second with the fuse out.....turn the key to off position, put the fuse back in and then start the car....you'll be pleasantly surprised.....takes 10 seconds of total work!!!! Email thanks to pvoots007@ gmail.com

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    Replies
    1. Pistol Pete, Thanks for this information. My wife took my car to work this morning and when I woke up there was a text describing these exact problems. I read your post (among others) grabbed my portable toolbox and headed her way. When I got there I pulled out the owners manual and looked up the #18 fuse. In my 2000 es-300 #18 is the overhead lights so I kept looking. #19 was the EFI so I pulled the fuse, turned the ignition over for only 1-2 seconds, replaced the fuse and BAM, Problem solved! Great post bud. I wish I knew how to return the favor. Thanks!

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    2. Where is the EFI 19? I cannot locate it in the two fuse boxes I looked in under the hood?

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    3. I have the same problem on 01 lexus/check engine and trac off ON.. I did tried the procedure stated above but unfortunately those light still coming back ON...anyway, there's 2 fuses for efi in the fuse box. If you look on the fuse box very carefully, the efi fuse numbered 15A and the other efi fuse is a bigger kind and look like almost square. Good luck!

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  3. Replies
    1. Fuse box No:18 fuse. It's Multiparty fuel injection.

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  4. The easiest and fastest way to solve this problem is under the hood in the fuse panel.....with the car off, pull out the "efi" fuse, try to start the engine for 1 second with the fuse out.....turn the key to off position, put the fuse back in and then start the car....you'll be pleasantly surprised.....takes 10 seconds of total work!!!! Email thanks to pvoots007@ gmail.com

    Fuse #18. Remove & replace. Start the car. It works.

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    Replies
    1. Wow, magic. It works
      Almost spend $980 for repair at local mechanic shop per their estimate. Thank you.

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    2. On my 2001 ES 300 it is #19. Pulled and reset as directed. Drove around 5 miles, shut it down, re-started, drove some more. Lights out! Thank you John!!

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    3. 99 es300 same codes and just worked perfect for mine as well!Thanks!

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    4. Outstanding! Fuse 19 on my 2000 ES300 and it worked like a charm. Thanks!

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    5. Thanks, this also worked for me yesterday when I tried it. I have a 2014 IS250F Lexus where I forgot to close the trunk and left it open for the whole weekend and it drained the battery. After charging the battery and starting the car the check engine light and a "TRAC OFF" message showed up on the console. I'm guessing the computer is confused now and displaying this message only because the battery voltage is low. Disconnecting the battery for a minute or so and then reconnecting it may also work but it is a lot easier just to pull the "EFI" fuse out and then back in.

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    6. amazing.my car is Lexus 1998 es300. The lights, engine and trac off, came on. First of all, I clen the cap with wd40 and then start the car with putting off the fuse of efi. Finally, put the fuse back and start the car again. There are no lights any more. It does save a lot of money. Thanks for sharing ths informaton.

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    7. worked for me !! pulled fuse, try start 1-2 seconds, put fuse back "NO" more lights !!!

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    8. Worked. Came back 4 days later. Any idea why? Just bought this car.

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    9. Same story: Check engine and trac off lights came on last night on my way home, car started running poorly. I found this chat thread, so I went out this morning, pulled the #19 efi fuse, cranked the engine for two seconds, put the fuse back in and everything was fine. Warning lights were off and car ran beautifully on a 50-mile drive this morning. Thanks for the tip! 2001 ES300

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    10. Thank you for share solutions for all for free.

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  5. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  6. I second this. 2000 Lexus ES-300 127,000 miles Very well maintained. Today, while driving, the TRAC and CE (check engine) lights both came on. NO discernible change in the engine performance. . After reading several forums, I saw this suggestion twice. Turned car off. Under hood, removed the 15 amp fuse for the EFI (electronic Fuel injection). Left it out for about 15 seconds. Turned ignition and cranked engine for 3-4 seconds. Put fuse back in. Started car, Both lights out, No more issues. I'll log back in if it recurs soon.

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  7. Ok - here's the update. the lights stayed off for 3 miles, then came back on. No discernible issues with performance. I took out EFI fuse for 30 sec, cranked engine for 5 seconds twice, put the fuse back in. Lights stayed off for 3 miles, and back on again. Oh well, can't blame me for trying. I was going to make a big donation to the interweb if it had worked. Millions!

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    1. Did you ever find and fix the problem? This just happened to me. 01 ES 300 123k. I just did a routine oil change and replaced the rear brake pad. In addition I bled the rear brakes. Once I started the car after about a minute CEL and Trac Control light came on. I disconnected the battery for about an hour and restarted. The light cam back on about 30 min later. I tried the fuse 19 trick. Light went off but comes right back on. I think my code was P1135. I went back and bled all the calipers in case that may have triggered the CEL. Same thing.

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  8. If you have the "Check Engine" light on and get lean exhaust trouble
    codes, try cleaning your MAF sensor. Found a video on YouTube, very easy to do yourself: "How to clean and identify a dirtyMAF sensor (Lexus)" by ScannerDanner You'll need a flashlight, some screwdrivers, and some brake spray (Auto Zone, Wal-Mart, etc). Wicked easy!

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  9. I have a Lexus IS250 and had the same issue. Also after I filled the tank btw, but not sure that related. In any case, my check engine and Trac Off lights come on so tried removing the EFI fuse. There are actually two EFI fuses (EFI main and EFI no2) so tried with removal of both as well as one of each removed at the time. The issue is that the car won't start without the fuses or is that not a problem? In any case, the check engine light is still on? Any further suggestions? many thanks!

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  10. I have 2001 Lexus ES300. I had "CEL" and "TRAC OFF" when I purchased the car. Mechanic replaced 2 O2 upsteam sensors so both lights went off for couple of months. But again I started seeing "TRAC OFF" light inconsistently I dint give any attention. But now I see both lights switching on and off inconsistently. Not sure what is the issue.

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    Replies
    1. Take it to shop QUICK.....if check engine light blinking it means your ignition coils and spark plugs are failing somewhere and engine misfiring and could possibly be overheating your exhaust pipe. Like time. Buy the parts online if possible.. much cheaper and then take to place that installs parts from customers... pep boys should do it.

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  11. I have a 2010 es350 Lexus my check engine light an my Traction light is on two what should I do

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  12. My check engine light on an the sign like car whit swirl lines under it on wht is the problem? it came on one day then the next day it cut off now it back on

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    Replies
    1. did you find out that the warning light is for rear lights?

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  13. This is really nice to read content of this blog. A is very extensive and vast knowledgeable platform has been given by this blog. I really appreciate this blog to has such kind of educational knowledge.
    Aircraft Warning Lights | Aviation warning lighting - CEL

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  14. Holy crap, it worked like a charm. TBH, I was a bit skeptical about pulling EFI fuse, but so dang glad for this forum.

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  15. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  16. I pulled the EFI fuse and noticed the pins were almost black with dirt. I attempted to start the car as instructed. After sanding away some of the dirt with an emery board (hey, I'm a girl, ok?) I put the fuse back in. Started the car no more lights. Now let's see how long it stays off. Thanks.

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    1. worked as described for about 150 miles. then bam cel and trac off lights reappear. i changed the front o2 sensor, cel light cleared, comes back in in 200 miles, then things get really strange. during a huge rainstorm, while drving the cel And trac off lights GOES OFF, stays off until next day. lights stay on until i kick it into passing gear and the go off. so far still off. weird

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    2. You should have changed both 02 censors at the same time,upstream and downstream.If 1 of those censor is failing, it will gives you a lots of different codes but yeah! I hope the lights will stay off forever.

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  17. On my 2004 ES300 the EFI fuse is in slot #14, according to Manual. I pulled #14 with switch OFF. Then cranked for a second. Replaced EFI fuse. Engine cranked right up with no fault lights coming on. BTW, I also cleaned gas cap, just in case. All looks OK. Will see how long this lasts. Thanks to all for the GREAT tips.

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    1. I hope that the lights will stay OFF foreverso you have a pease on mind butjust in case, please let us know how long the lights were OFF until they come back ON again. Good luck!

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  18. I have a 2001 Es300 and removed the #19 fuse, started and restarted the car with fuse back in. No more CEL and "Track off" light. Will report back after driving home today. Thank you so much for the advise :). Much appreciated !

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